Editor:
Re: “Mask up on public transit,” Letters, Sept. 25.
I am astonished to see the ignorance concerning BC Transit’s mandatory mask policy. On BC Transit’s website it says: “While face coverings will be mandatory, the policy will be implemented as an educational step without enforcement.” Why? Because some people simply cannot wear a mask due to health conditions, as per the advice of many health professionals including Dr. Bonnie Henry.
I was on the bus when the incident described in the letter happened. The bus driver was out of line – in my view she was harassing that passenger. She had absolutely no business doing what she did. Not only are bus drivers not responsible, they actually have no authority to enforce the mandatory masking policy. I contacted BC Transit about the incident. They apologized that this happened and said that they would speak to the bus drivers, as it is not their policy to enforce because they recognize that not everyone can wear a mask.
Some people are so worried about spreading a virus that they don’t stop to think that there’s an even greater chance of someone dying or being harmed if they wear a mask when they medically cannot do so. People for mandatory masking tout themselves as caring for others. As someone who has a medical condition that makes it very difficult for me to wear a mask, I guess I can assume most of you don’t care one bit about my health at all. You just care that I comply with your ideals and opinions. I have found that there is a huge lack of compassion for people who medically cannot wear a mask. Why is that?
Alicia Passmore, Gibsons
